Daily Current Affairs and GK | 5 August 2020

1. Huge explosion sent Seismic shock waves across Beirut.

• Recently a huge explosion occurred in the port area of Beirut killing more than 78 people and injuring over 4,000 people.
• This massive explosion also sent seismic shockwaves across the city of Beirut that smashed windows, masonry, etc.
• The country is already facing economic crisis and a surge in COVID-19 infections.  
• The interior minister said that highly explosive material that was seized years ago was stored at the port.
• The Lebanese authorities said that the cause of the Beirut blast was Ammonium Nitrate, which is an odorless crystalline substance used as a fertilizer.
• Lebanon:
  • It is a country in West Asia, bordered by Syria, Israel, and Cyprus.
  • Capital: Beirut
  • Currency: Lebanese Pound
  • Prime Minister: Hassan Diab

(Source: The Hindu)

2. Sun Pharmaceutical announced to launch FluGuard at ₹35 per tablet.

• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has announced the launch of FluGuard at a cost of ₹35 per tablet to treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 in India.
• FluGuard is the sixth generic of favipiravir to be launched in India.
• Glenmark, the first to launch generic version of favipiravir, is now selling Fabiflu at ₹75 a tablet.
• Currently, Favipiravir is the only anti-viral treatment that has been approved by DCGI in India for treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.
• Drug Controller General of India (DCGI):
  • It is part of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
  • It works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • It approves the licenses of different classes of drugs.
  • It is also responsible for setting the standard for manufacturing, import, sales and distribution of drugs in India.

(Source: News on AIR)

3. Vangapandu Prasad Rao, revolutionary writer and singer, passed away.

• Recently, revolutionary writer and eminent singer Vangapandu Prasada Rao passed away at the age of 77 years due to ill health.
• He was born in 1943 in Pedabondappali village in Andhra Pradesh.
• He was associated with Jana Natya Mandali since 1972.
• He wrote more than 400 songs in the last 30 years.
• He was awarded the Kala-Ratna by Andhra Pradesh government in 2017.

(Source: The Hindu)

4. A study of people with Schizophrenia finds relation between immune response genes and the disorder.

• Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) and Jeevan Stem Cell Foundation, in Chennai, conducted a pilot study on 97 people with Schizophrenia.
• The study found an association between immune response genes and the disease.
• This study was published in International Journal of Immunogenetics.
• Schizophrenia:
  • It is a mental disease that has many symptoms like hearing voices, false beliefs, trouble with thinking and concentration, etc. 
  • The exact cause of the disease is still unknown.
  • The treatment of the disease is possible through antipsychotic medications, physiological treatments, coordinated specialty care, etc.

(Source: The Hindu)

5. Theatre director Ebrahim Alkazi passed away.

• The longest serving director of the National School of Drama (NSD) Ebrahim Alkazi passed away at the age of 94 due to heart attack.
• He made immense contribution towards modern Indian theatre and made NSD the premier training institute for theatre.
• He served as the director of NSD from 1962 to 1977.
• He mentored great actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri.
• He is known for Ashadh Ka Ek Din. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2010.
• He has also won Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan in 1966 and 1991, respectively.
• In 2012, he was awarded Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) by French government.
• Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters is highest cultural award of France government.
• Some of the famous plays directed by him were - Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq and Dharamvir Bharati’s Andha Yug.
• He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award twice and also the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for lifetime contribution to theatre.
• National School of Drama (NSD):
  • It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture and is one of its kind in India.
  • In 1959, it was set up by Sangeet Natak Akademi and in 1975, it became an independent school.
  • The largest theatre of festival of Asia, Bhata Rang Mahotsav, is celebrated at this school.
  • It is located in New Delhi
  • Current Director: Suresh Sharma

(Source: The Hindu)

6. States and UTs lift 44 lakh tonnes food grains under PMGKAY-2.

• State and UTs have lifted 44 lakh tonnes food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana – 2 (PMGKAY-2).
• Under the scheme, government will distribute 201 lakh tonnes food grains among 81 crore beneficiaries.
• Government has started PMGKAY-2 from 1^st July. PMGKAY-2 will continue till November, 2020.
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana:
  • It is a food security welfare scheme announced by the government in March 2020.
  • The scheme was extended till November 2020.
  • Under the scheme, free ration is provided for three months to each member of the family including 5kg of wheat/rice and 1 kg of pulses to each family/month.

(Source: News on AIR)

7.  Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel launched by Union Agriculture Minister.

• Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has launched National Cooperative Development Corporation’s new initiative, Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel.   
• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has prepared guidance videos on Formation and Registration of a Cooperative. The Minister also launched these videos.
• The videos have been prepared for eighteen different states in Hindi and regional languages.
• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is a statutory corporation. It was established in 1963. It is located in New Delhi.

(Source: News on AIR)

8. Creation of Block Development Fund approved by J&K Lieutenant Governor.

• Creation of Block Development Fund has been approved by J&K Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu.
• The fund will be created on the pattern of Constituency Development Fund.
• Block Development Council (BDC) Chairpersons will get 25 lakh rupees each for local developmental work at block level.
• On 31^st October 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was reorganized into Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh.

9. 1^st General Council meeting of Khelo India Scheme chaired by Sports Minister.

• 1^st General Council meeting of Khelo India Scheme was chaired by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.
• The minister requested states to organize State-level Khelo India Games annually.
• Currently, Khelo India Youth Games and University Games are annually organized at the national level under the Khelo India Scheme.
• First Khelo India Youth Games was held in New Delhi in 2018 and first Khelo India University Games was held in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha in 2020.
• 5 zonal talent scouting committees are being planned for east, west, north, south and north east India.
• Khelo India Scheme was launched in 2018. Its aim is to encourage sports all over the country. The scheme has twelve components.

(Source: News on AIR)

10. Foundation stone laid for the Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
• Mahesh Bhagchandka and Pawan Singhal from the family of Ashok Singhal, Former President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, were Mukhya Yajman in Bhoomi Pujan function of Ram Temple.
• PM Narendra Modi has become the first Prime Minister of India to have darshan at Ram Janambhoomi and Hanumangarh temple of Ayodhya.
• The postage stamps on the model of Ram Temple were also released by him on the occasion.
• UP CM Yogi Adityanath presented a wooden Kodand Ram Statue as souvenir to the Prime Minister.
• According to the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya-Babri Masjid Land Dispute case, over 2.77 acres of disputed land was handed over to the trust for the construction of Ram Temple.

(Source: News on AIR)

11. World Class ‘Thenzawl Golf Resort’ project inaugurated in Mizoram.

• The World Class ‘Thenzawl Golf Resort’ project was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Shri. Prahlad Singh Patel in Mizoram.
• The project was implemented under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme- North East Circuit.
• Golf tourism in India has strong potential in India.
• The Golf Course at Thenzawl is designed by Graham Cooke and Associates.
• This golf course will provide quality golfing experience and international facilities at affordable price.
• Graham Cooke and Associates is one of the top ranked Canada based architectural.
• Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
  • It is a central sector scheme that was launched in 2014-15 for the integrated development of tourist circuits in India.
  • The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Tourism.
  • 15 thematic based circuits identified are- Buddhist, Coastal, Desert, Eco, Heritage, Himalayan, Krishna, North-east, Ramayana, Rural, Spiritual, Sufi, Tirthankara, Tribal and Wildlife.

(Source: PIB)